Ep2 Suzuki V-Strom 800 RE Long termer review 2024, we catch up with Chris Moss (Mossy) |

Episode 2 of the Suzuki V-Strom 800RE long-termer
As someone who’s done 12500 miles on my DE long-termer, some of the new RE’s modifications are immediately evident and preferred. The 30mm lower seat makes it much easier to get on the bike; with the appreciably taller and broader screen, it will obviously offer more protection than the DE’s much smaller version. The altered riding position created by the narrower bars, sited slightly lower and further forward, and alloy footrests attached slightly higher and further back, is less noticeable. But get underway, and what is immediately apparent is the change in steering characteristics effected by the smaller front wheel. Even before we got to the mountain roads, the quicker and lighter way the Suzuki turned into corners was a clear and welcome feature. There’s a more positive and direct feel through the bars, which inspires more confidence and allows for more spirited and secure riding. Also very noticeable is the extra power of the new four-piston radial callipers, which provide sharper, stronger braking. Though ultimately not as versatile as the DE’s, Suspension action still stays well-controlled, offering good support and compliance. Overall, the new RE feels more at home on the road, and the superb day’s riding felt so rewarding I would have loved to have continued back to the UK.
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[@wakajawaka44]

Thanks for that Chris. A good honest straightforward review as always! It seems you are developing quite a soft spot for that Suzuki V-Strom 800 RE. Relationships always take a little time to develop!

[@cpuuk]

Mossy on the RE sportiness- "I'm now getting less miles per gallon" LOL

[@DavidSkidmore-e5t]

As a owner of old 650 first gen vstrom and past 1050xt owner I think suzuki made a mistake not bringing RE first because DE hasn't sold aswell going by local dealer reports...for a lot of riders it's to tall etc ....most riders only need road bike handling ...but hey only my opinion...atb

[@roadwarrior8560]

agree 100%

[@Alfra1324]

I agree with you! 😊

[@hair2050]

Yep. And it’s comparable with the old storms, the DE is further towards the dirt, as we know. I bought a new wee 6 months old. If I’d wanted the re I would have waited, I didn’t. Seems that the re is a better all around bike, but it is a new model. I’d prefer to wait a few years for any bugs to be sorted out, after market to develop, and a pool of experience to gather. The thing I appreciate most about having the 650 is the instant support only. Any question is answered incredibly well.

[@roadwarrior8560]

@@hair2050 the 650 is unbeatable, one of the best engines and bikes ever built, the 12-16 model is the best of the breed. It's all the bike you need, can do anything well and gives so little trouble if looked after at all.

[@hair2050]

@@roadwarrior8560 I adore the engine. Every ride is a pleasure because of the engine.

[@colindeans5972]

I bought one last week, 150 miles in and so far so good. Look forward to the next instalment. Cheers.

[@roadwarrior8560]

you noticed any annoying vibrations?

[@nickrider5220]

Summed up the bike well, surprisingly capable and ultra reliable - Mossy always cuts to the heart of the matter 👍🏻😎

[@albertjurcisin8944]

There are many reviews of the bike but this is something on a higher level. After 6 minutes I feel like the character and limits of the bike have been explained to me for the first time.

[@volt8684]

Wish Mossey had his own channel. Can listen to hi all day and respect his views indeed. Love his character proper bloke. Biker for 50 yrs and many bikes but v strom650 and truly the best bike ever owned for all reasons. Would love one of these but totally happy with what I’ve got

[@carlosvejar3938]

I got this bike in the green color that is available here in the US. I am almost out of break in and it's proving to be a lot of fun.

[@henrymarocchi7844]

How are you enjoying it? Planning on getting one as I fit better on it than anything I've ever thrown a leg over and am getting more and more excited with every review I see!!

[@carlosvejar3938]

@@henrymarocchi7844 about as much fun I can possibly have riding into work, lol. It's amazing on gas gobbs of torque and just the HP you need. It's a blast

[@henrymarocchi7844]

@@carlosvejar3938 awesome! Do you have the stock exhaust still? I'm thinking after labour day weekend I'm going to have to put a deposit down or something since the dealer hours align with my work hours unfortunately and pick it up asap!!

[@carlosvejar3938]

@@henrymarocchi7844 mine is as stock as they come. I don't mind the quiet can, she is big but I don't mind

[@druegeme]

now if you'd try on a 1050 Road version non-DE- you might find you get the extra oompa, with a plusher and fully adjustable suspension and the cruise control on top. If you dont mind carrying a few more kilos! Really appreciate how you talk about motorcycles it really connects in a personal way. Funny you said it but a different moto can make you change as a person! It's true!

[@problemslayer3538]

Im currently looking into this bike, but i just cant see my choosing it over the multistrada 950

[@stevemoore5129]

Well said, Love your road tests, I have owned every bike under the sun since 1975, Kawasaki triples to Z1000, gpz 900 , Gsxr, r1, Busa etc etc, What a great Do it all bike, No frills, Just a pie n chips bike, A truly honest motorcycle, Spent 2 wks in IOM two up, Coped with ease, And sipped fuel, Great do it all bike commute, tour scratch an all for a bargain price, Now of an age where don't want to be folded up on a sports bike, Chill view and take in your journey, These bike make perfect sense, Mossey keep up the good work, Enjoy your reviews 🏍️👍

[@Barryferg100]

Wondering myself if I should get the RE or the DE. We have lots of straight pavement with few turns but once there it could be more pavement or gravel or trails. Interested in understanding its (both Re and DE) personality a bit more. Thanks

[@problemslayer3538]

Neither, get the multistrada 950

[@MikeK6046]

Thanks for this review MUCH appreciated!! How do you like its Quick-Shifter, is it smooth or notchy? How is its Windscreen protection, bad, (good/ acceptable - not much buffeting) or excellent??

[@podunkman2709]

In the model I drove, the QS was terribly hopeless. I experienced something similar in DE. But I also rode DE where QS was great. It's probably a matter of settings (I'm not talking about electronics - I know there is no such option there), but the question is whether these settings are permanent since you can encounter them so often.

[@MikeK6046]

@@podunkman2709 Thanks,

[@JT-et7ui]

What riding pants are you wearing?

[@BikerHeadz]

Rukka Voyage-R Short leg bikerheadz.co.uk/product/voyage-r-short-trousers-c1

[@Melvin-g2s]

A nice review. Can you please tell us more specifics regarding the Dunlop tyres//BR

[@podunkman2709]

I just spent two hours on it; in the city, outside, on the highway. My fears were confirmed how I imagined this motorcycle after the DE tests: the engine is great (the torque) but the vibrations are unbearable. My right leg turned to jelly. They start at 5,000 and because this engine has higher revs than, for example, Trasalp, they are present even when driving quite slowly. The position is OK but uncomfortable for long rides. This motorcycle is more of a commuter than a touring motorcycle. Certainly not an adventure (adventure is not a trip to the Alps or Spain, but, for example, the wilderness of Bolivia). I don't understand Suzuki's policy at all; the best thing thay can do is to have one DE/RE motorcycle without the disadvantages of both: no vibrations, lighter, tubeless tires. These two models are just an artificial offer.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Really? Having spent a fair amount of time on both the DE and RE vibrations never even crossed my mind once, as in, neither were vibrating badly enough for me to notice and nobody else I know has mentioned it. Now you have though, I'm going to look out for anyone else saying the same thing.

[@anxiousappliance]

The Transalp is a revier engine with more power up top.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Some say it's smooth as butter. Others say it vibrates like mad. Long and short of it? Lean-operating ECU settings cause engines to run hot and vibrate. It's got NOTHING to do with inherent mechanical design of the engine internals, it has everything to do with the lean tuning from factory for Euro5. Pop and exhaust on, get the air/fuel dialed in, and vibration and heat goes away.

[@anxiousappliance]

@@exothermal.sprocket This a ground up new engine - I'd think they would design specifically for current requirements. Plenty of smooth running engines out there.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@anxiousappliance Not as simple as all of that. Do you know the life cycle of a new engine after it leaves the assembly line until it's sold in dealerships in foreign countries?

[@richard3803]

IMO it's all a matter of degrees regarding the term 'dual purpose'. For those that want to occasionally venture down a gravel road the RE is fine and in my experience it copes very well. For those who want to be somewhat more adventurous then the DE also fits the 'dual purpose' moniker.

[@roadwarrior8560]

the spoked tubed wheels let the DE down, nobody wants rusty spokes.

[@UncleWally3]

Like to know if others interested in this bike have experienced dealerships inflating the price? Our local dealership is adding about 8% to the MRSP + inflating the dealership fees and requiring the purchase to include the hard panniers. To this end, I’m out . . .

[@ProphetAndLoss]

Where are you located? In the UK it’s available discounted a good amount.

[@UncleWally3]

@@ProphetAndLoss Atlantic Canada. Perhaps the inflated prices here are a result of product placement? However, I’m glad to hear they’re widely available in other locations. Suzuki often offers incentives so I’ll wait until the price settles and perhaps the next model will come with cruse and heated grips, at least as factory options. Sounds like a good bike though - hope to at least find a demo to ride soon . . .

[@carlosvejar3938]

That's a hunk of BS. $12,449.00 otd taxes, registration, ang tags. Done

[@mickleblade]

Is that the US? 'cos that price increase doesn't seem to happen in the eu

[@carlosvejar3938]

@@mickleblade I pick mine up on June 1st. With taxes registration and tags, I am paying $12,449.00. sales taxes and registration are added to the MSRP

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Swap the Eurocrats Bureaucratic exhaust, pop in an airbox lid and filter, ECU flash and suddenly it's EXCITING and makes a RAD NOISE, and picks up a whopping 10 horsepower. And a whopping 8 ft-lb everywhere, especially in the middle.

[@roadwarrior8560]

need more info!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@roadwarrior8560 Pop over to Vcyclenut and watch the videos he's done with Akrapovic exhaust, TST Industries velocity stacks, and stage 2 airbox mod. It's the GSX-8S but the same engine and tune for V-stroms

[@steverussell9340]

I’ve got the tiger 800 and am going down to southern Spain! Any tips.?

[@roadwarrior8560]

keep your breakdown number handy!!

[@mickleblade]

Hmm, this or the Transalp?

[@podunkman2709]

My, again. Difference is evident even if u never rode any motorcycle.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

There's a few head-to-head reviews on this very thing on the 'tube. Look them up. Also, there's a couple video examples of the 800DE going absolutely bonkers off-road, launching up grades with dirtbikes and handling this sort of thing handily. Don't let a couple of road-riders sum up everything about the bike. It's there, just needs to be coaxed out.